Unit Two will continue examining the concepts and techniques of photography. You will explore the balance, weighting, and dynamics. By the end of this unit you should be able to understand how the placement of objects affects the balance, weighting, and dynamics of a photograph, and this should be demonstrated in your project. You should use the concepts from the previous unit as well, such as the rule of thirds. For this unit you will complete the following tasks:
View Prezi on Quote Collages, posted below.
Read the terminology discussions, listen to audio discussions, and view voicethread videos on the terms.
View the slideshow on composition.
Take an online Unit Two practice quiz.
Read through Project 2 requirements and begin the project activities.
View Project 2 examples by the instructor and other students.
The movement of the eye as it explores a photograph.
Strong dynamics: Effect that is created when the eye travels from the primary subject to the secondary subject, and then returns to the primary subject again. The eye circulates throughout the photo.
Poor dynamics: Effect that is created when either the eye travels out of the photo or gets stuck on one area of the photo without viewing the other areas.
A good photographer tries to have strong dynamics in all his/her photographs. You want your viewer to view everything in the photograph. One of the easiest ways to accomplish strong dynamics is to use implied lines. Read below about implied lines.
Implied Lines
Imaginery lines.
These imaginery lines can often lead the viewer's eye in a specific direction. For example, a person's eyes can create implied lines. The person's eye will create an implied line that connects the eyes to whatever the person is looking at. An object can also create an implied line by the direction that it is facing. A car that is facing a building will create an implied line from the car to the building. Another way of looking at implied lines is to think of an arrow. The arrow points to something. Your eye will automatically follow the arrow to see what it is pointing to. However, in photographs, it is rare to have actual arrows. Therefore, you need to use your objects to create the implied lines instead.
The direction that the man is facing creates an implied line towards the vortext in the sky. Also, the guitar he is holding as well as the one he is standing on points towards the vortext as well.
Balance
The placement of elements within the frame to create a sense of equal visual weight.
In art, there are three types of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial. Symmetrical balance: the arrangement of elements so that the elements are exactly the same on both sides if divided down the middle; a mirror image.
Asymmetrical balance: the arrangement of elements that achieves equal visual weight without being exactly the same of both sides, if divided down the middle.
Radial Balance: the arrangements of elements around a central point.
The main thing to remember about balance is that you do not want to place all the elements (objects, lines, shapes, etc.) on one side. When you look through the view finder, make sure to place the objects evenly within the frame. One the best ways to do this is to use the rule of thirds.
Weighting
The placement of objects within the frame. Placing objects in certain areas of the photograph will create different effects. Read more about the four different types of weighting below.
Top Weighting: Placing an object towards the top of the frame; By placing the object near the top of the frame, you will create an effect that makes the object seem far away. This can also make the object seem very light in weight.
Bottom Weighting: Placing an object towards the bottom of the frame; By placing the object near the bottom of the frame, you will create an effect that makes the object seem really close up. It will also make the object seem well-grounded (firmly planted) or heavy.
Center Weighting: Placing an object directly in the center of the frame; By placing the object in the center of the frame, you will create an effect in which the photograph seems very static, boring, or uninteresting. Remember the rules of thirds recommends that you avoid placing object directly in the center.
Side Weighting: Placing an object to one side of the frame; By placing the object towards one side, you will create a sense of movement. For example, by placing a car on the right side, pointing into the frame, you will create a sense that the car is moving towards the center of the frame. This will also increase the effectiveness of the dynamics.
example of Side Weighting
Unit 2 Practice Quiz
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proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=beginning-photography-composition-continued
Project 2
Project 2 Overview
For the second project, you will create a digital collage of photographs in Adobe Photoshop. Your collage will illustrate a chosen quote, and consist of photographs taken by only you. Your collage should also include the quote itself and the author of the quote. You should demonstrate your knowledge of balance, dynamics, and weighting in your collage.
Project Requirements
Research various quotes using the internet. Find at least 3 quotes that interest you. You should be able to illustrate your chosen quotes using your own photographs.
Complete the brainstorming worksheet.
Choose your best idea (one quote) to use for your collage. Take at least 15 photographs that could be used to illustrate the quote.
Download your photographs and begin creating your collage. Make sure to start with a new file. You can choose from the following three sizes: 6" by 6", 5" by 7" or 7" by 5".
See the demonstration videos for how to set up your new file in Adobe Photoshop and how to begin combining your photos.
Save and print your final collage.
Write an artist statement about the collage, describing why you made the choices that you did. Be sure to use photographic terminilogy in your statement.
Quote Collage
Unit Overview:
Unit Two will continue examining the concepts and techniques of photography. You will explore the balance, weighting, and dynamics. By the end of this unit you should be able to understand how the placement of objects affects the balance, weighting, and dynamics of a photograph, and this should be demonstrated in your project. You should use the concepts from the previous unit as well, such as the rule of thirds. For this unit you will complete the following tasks:Quote Collage Presentation
Quote Collage Examples on Prezi
Terminology and Discussions:
Term
Definition
Example
Strong dynamics: Effect that is created when the eye travels from the primary subject to the secondary subject, and then returns to the primary subject again. The eye circulates throughout the photo.
Poor dynamics: Effect that is created when either the eye travels out of the photo or gets stuck on one area of the photo without viewing the other areas.
A good photographer tries to have strong dynamics in all his/her photographs. You want your viewer to view everything in the photograph. One of the easiest ways to accomplish strong dynamics is to use implied lines. Read below about implied lines.
These imaginery lines can often lead the viewer's eye in a specific direction. For example, a person's eyes can create implied lines. The person's eye will create an implied line that connects the eyes to whatever the person is looking at. An object can also create an implied line by the direction that it is facing. A car that is facing a building will create an implied line from the car to the building. Another way of looking at implied lines is to think of an arrow. The arrow points to something. Your eye will automatically follow the arrow to see what it is pointing to. However, in photographs, it is rare to have actual arrows. Therefore, you need to use your objects to create the implied lines instead.
In art, there are three types of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial.
Symmetrical balance: the arrangement of elements so that the elements are exactly the same on both sides if divided down the middle; a mirror image.
Asymmetrical balance: the arrangement of elements that achieves equal visual weight without being exactly the same of both sides, if divided down the middle.
Radial Balance: the arrangements of elements around a central point.
The main thing to remember about balance is that you do not want to place all the elements (objects, lines, shapes, etc.) on one side. When you look through the view finder, make sure to place the objects evenly within the frame. One the best ways to do this is to use the rule of thirds.
Top Weighting: Placing an object towards the top of the frame; By placing the object near the top of the frame, you will create an effect that makes the object seem far away. This can also make the object seem very light in weight.
Bottom Weighting: Placing an object towards the bottom of the frame; By placing the object near the bottom of the frame, you will create an effect that makes the object seem really close up. It will also make the object seem well-grounded (firmly planted) or heavy.
Center Weighting: Placing an object directly in the center of the frame; By placing the object in the center of the frame, you will create an effect in which the photograph seems very static, boring, or uninteresting. Remember the rules of thirds recommends that you avoid placing object directly in the center.
Side Weighting: Placing an object to one side of the frame; By placing the object towards one side, you will create a sense of movement. For example, by placing a car on the right side, pointing into the frame, you will create a sense that the car is moving towards the center of the frame. This will also increase the effectiveness of the dynamics.
Unit 2 Practice Quiz
(opens in new window)
proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=beginning-photography-composition-continued
Project 2
Project 2 Overview
Project Requirements
Handouts
Project Examples
Demonstration Videos